With over 20 years of experience covering the Steelers for the Observer-Reporter, Dale Lolley will let you know the insider scoop. Dale can also be heard on the Steelers radio network pre-game show on WDVE-FM game days and Tuesday nights from 6 to 8 p.m. on ESPN 970-AM and WDVE during the season as a host of the Antonio Brown Show. Follow him on Twitter at @dlolleyor

Tuesday, September 03, 2013

Tuesday with Tomlin

Mike Tomlin held his first press conference of the year and while there wasn't a ton of information passed, here's what we did learn:

@ The Steelers liked Zoltan Mesko over Drew Butler because of his pedigree and the fact that he's kicked in cold weather throughout his career, in high school, college and in the pros.

Butler's performance tailed off last season as the weather turned colder.

@ Isaac Redman will, in fact, be the starter at running back. He will be spelled at times by LaRod Stephens-Howling and Felix Jones.

Le'Veon Bell must return to practice on a full-time basis before he plays due to his youth. Tomlin doesn't like to play rookies who don't get a full week of practice in because they need more preparation than veterans.

@ The Steelers will use their tight ends by situation until Heath Miller returns.

Miller did positional workouts Monday.

@ Jarvis Jones, listed as a co-starter with Jason Worilds at right outside linebacker, will get playing time. Tomlin said all three starting linebackers, including LaMarr Woodley, will be involved in a rotation, though Woodley will play more than the other two.

@ Tomlin said Cameron Heyward had a very good camp and preseason and will be featured in some sub-packages.

@ Matt Spaeth was placed on injured reserve with a designation to return after eight weeks on Tuesday. To replace him on the active roster, rookie linebacker Terrence Garvin was signed off the practice squad.

To replace Garvin on the practice squad, the Steelers signed wide receiver Kashif Moore.

17 comments:

i find it interesting that woodley will be part of that rotation. is there cause for concern in the coaches eyes regarding woodley (level of play, conditioning) or would that be reading too much into it?

That's exactly the conversation that was going on with the Steelers. Didn't want to blow it on Spaeth and then have a starter go down with, say, a broken bone for six to eight weeks in the opener. Now, you have to carry that guy on the active roster if you don't want to IR him.

Dale, Has it been confirmed that only 1 player can be placed on IR Designated to Return? Or only 1 player can be on it at a time? The only details I've seen are that you can only ACTIVATE 1 player from Short Term IR. What prevents a team from taking a player from Designated to Return, and moving him to Full Season IR and then placing the hypothetically injured starter in Week 1 on IR-Designated to Return?

Yes, only one player can have the return designation on IR. And you have to say when you make the move that he's the guy who's designated for return. For example, you can't place guys on IR and then, midway through the season, say that this guy or that guy is ready to play, so we're going to designate him for return.That's why there was discussion in the organization whether they wanted to blow that one designation on Spaeth.

As for Hawthorne, he missed the entire offseason program with a knee injury, then missed the first three weeks of training camp. Too much ground to make up in a short amount of time.

Doesn't mean they can't sign him to a futures contract at the end of this season.

He's allowed to rehab and use the facilities, but he cannot practice with the team. Designed to keep teams from redshirting/sandbagging prospects like Washington use to. Tho I think an IR'd player can still attend meetings and watch film with his position group.

I think what Tomlin is saying is fairly spot on, but I wouldn't read too much into it. The AFC North won't be as strong as it has been, but it will still be good. We need a few draft picks: Heyward, Adams, DeCastro, etc. to step up.